What happens to a file when it is deleted using Windows Explorer and the "Delete" key?

When a file is deleted using Windows Explorer and the "Delete" key, the action typically marks the space that the file occupied on the hard disk as "available," allowing the operating system to reuse it for new data in the future. This means the data itself isn't immediately erased from the storage; instead, Windows alters the file system's metadata to indicate that the space can be reused.

The process usually involves removing the file's entry from the File Allocation Table (or in NTFS, the Master File Table), which makes the file inaccessible through standard file navigation. However, until that space is overwritten by new data, it's possible for data recovery tools to retrieve the deleted file.

This action contrasts with simply moving the file to another location or overwriting it, which does not represent what occurs with the standard deletion process in Windows. The mechanism of marking it as available reflects the logical aspect of file systems, distinguishing between the appearance of deletion and the actual state of data on the disk.